Infinite Life: Awakening to Bliss Within

by Robert A.F. Thurman, Dalai Lama XIV (Foreword by)

Book by Robert Thurman

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Religion, Self Help, Death

336 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2004

About the author

Tenzin Robert Thurman is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University, holding the first endowed chair of Buddhist Studies in the United States. He is the author of the bestseller Inner Revolution, as well as Anger, Infinite Life, and other popular books. He is also a translator of Tibetan texts. He serves as co-founder and president of Tibet House US, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the endangered culture of Tibet.

Reviews

[Erik Akre · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is remarkable, I think, because it teaches engagement in the world. Leading the "infinite lifestyle" involves, first and foremost, care for others. Thurman spends a good deal of text inviting and praising a lifestyle of giving generously, and becoming involved in the issues of the day.

One should live life as if it will carry on infinitely, and indeed it will in accordance with the Buddhist concept of the ever-returning boddhisattva. One follows the ethic of generosity--giving material goods, protection for the oppressed, and delivery of the dharma to all beings in need. One need not worry or fret, as life moves on infinitely. No worries, no stress; the possibilities for kindness and generosity never end.

Thurman (in my words): "Step into the infinite lifestyle! Leave fear and worry behind, and take up the role of the boddhisattva." And this backed up with a warm and hearty "You can do it!" Indeed, the author delivers his ideas with a warmth and congeniality that is worth remarking on. One feels his friendly energy as one reads, and this enhances his message. A pleasant read, and an inspiration.

[Jerry Worthylake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read this book 5 times over. I love it's boiling down of the dharma. Clear and consise

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Thurman's argument for the validity of the possibility of reincarnation in this book.

[Seon Ji (Dawn) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Need to re listen to this when I am in a better frame of mind.

My only criticism is it could do without the political and social soapboxing.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of wisdom contained in this book for those that are willing to do the work. I got over half way in and my zest for reading the remaining text seemed tiresome to me. That being said, one sentence in this book stands out to me most profoundly. You are a dynamic evolutionary process.

[Craig Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had first heard of Robert Thurman after watching a documentary called "One", in which the filmmakers tried to answer the timeless question: "What's the meaning of life?" They interview several notable spiritual gurus, Thurman included. What perked my interest was not only his answer, but that he is the father of Uma Thurman. That certainly explains her name.

Anyway, the man certainly earned his Phd in Buddhist Studies. He definitely knows what he's talking about. Even though I already knew most of this stuff from other texts, it was good to relearn it, and even learn a few new things along the way. The book comes off as a little too "New Age-y", if that makes any sense, and I was a little turned off that Thurman seems to share the same disdain for science that most religious zealots have (which is mostly derived from bitterness that science is eating away at their superstitions). Also, the final chapter had an odd tangent about democracy and how we should participate in the electoral process more. Perhaps this book came out during an election year, I don't know.

Anyway, I would certainly suggest this book to anyone new to Buddhism - he lays it out in terms one can easily understand. Still, I have to say, my favorite book about Buddhism is still "Awakening the Buddha Within" by Surya Das.

[Kathryn Jennex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I didn’t read it cover to cover, I chose to look at topics that interested me the most. Robert Thurman writes in a way that makes Buddhist practices understandable and attainable. I particularly likes when he talks about meditating and says being mindful and interested in meditating does not have to be overwhelming. He gives an example of being in traffic and using that time to meditate. I recommend it, even if you’re just a little bit Bud-curious :) .

[Bernadine Rosso · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deep insights and intense realities brought to the surface. This book has the potential to carry one into life changing transformation, if chosen.

[R.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

companion book to a class I took with Thurman at The Tibet House.
Lectures were taken directly from text.
Very helpful book for exploring this line of teacher/philosphy.

[Bradley Farless · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of information in this book and it's presented in a way that allows modern people to grasp what is being said. It doesn't read like classic literature or ancient texts, basically. That being said, I wasn't as inspired by this as I thought I would be. Somewhere along the way, I lost the thread and the excitement for finishing the book. I think it tries to do too much. I had to force myself to get through to the end and did some skimming in the last few chapters.

Also, I felt like it could have been more focused. There was a lot that felt like rambling to me and of all of the things I read, what I remember most is his retelling a story about how he caused a woman to have a break down at a retreat for not calling on him to speak. It felt petty and one-sided and I think there is more to that situation than was presented here. I don't know why he would think it was reasonable to include it here and try to immortalize that woman's reaction to his provocation.

[James Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Thurman does a really great job in this book in distilling what it means to be truly awake, to realize one's own boundless nature and how our every action influences the now, future and our future lives.

I especially enjoyed the chapter on Creativity and have listened to it multiple times. I am especially keen on the recitation of a selection from the Avatamsaka Sutra in this chapter.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book and now plan to purchase the Kindle version. This is my plan for my life to fully immerse myself in the worldview laid out in this book. It is complete with the vows along with a full explanation of the importance of being in a completely open state of mind in order to receive these vows properly. Superb!

[Stephen Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat underwhelming. As an early Westerner explorer of this subject, it reminded me of the things that put me off the “culture” that grew into a lot of things it shouldn’t have. It’s just a rehash and a regurgitation of past works

I also find there is a certain hubris to the tone

[Nicole Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was honest, interesting, and gave me new insights into the dharma while reviewing and going in depth of the basics.The author was fun to read and was approachable - will reread in the future.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is definitely a keeper to reread.

[Stephanie Koclanis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting!

[Teri]

His writings are too esoteric for me. Add to it that I tried to listen to him read his book in an audible version which made it even worse as he does not have a great reading voice.

[William Bookman III · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything. Comes across as the last advice from a dying relative who has lived life to the fullest. Once you read this book, you now become fully responsible..

[Melissa Hedges- Rankin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The contents definitely made me think, (both positive and negative).
Overall, an interesting read.

[Trevor Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't let this book's cover deceive you: although it is rather middle-minded, straight forward recommendations on how to live life day-to-day, it is no mushy self-help book either. I respect Thurman enough for his scholarly studies and dedication to Tibetan Buddhism over the past several decades, but it is his attitude and positive approach to speaking to the reader that won me over.

Although I consider myself an atheist, I have serious Buddhist sympathies that are only so far away from reconciliation at times, depending on where I am in life. Of course, these sympathies are admittedly aesthetic and I can't count myself as a self-identifying Buddhist by any means. Reading this book, there's no conflict with those views, and Thurman does an excellent job of explaining ways to think about existence in an ethical way that need not be relegated merely to a Buddhist worldview.

Browsing through America's bookstores today, I can't help but notice how so much in Buddhism is stripped of its religious implications that involve commitment, complete ontological reorientation, and serious devotion. In other words, anything that might make someone stop being another mindless consumer is not to be discussed or addressed in popular titles. Instead, we get "self-help" fluff. Thurman's efforts deserves to be put above the more watered down works of Thich Nhat Hanh and Chogyam Trungpa.

[Marina Quattrocchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw Robert Thurman for the first time when he spoke at the University of Toronto, winter 2014. I was intrigued learning of the lifetime relationship he had with the Dalai Lama, so decided to go to his talk. It was a brutally cold winter evening, I went by myself and the building was hard to find, but afterwards I was so glad I went. He had everyone completely captivated for over 2 hours, and the time seemed much shorter because his talk was so humorous and engaging. We laughed the entire time, and I was thinking this man could have a second career as a stand-up comedian! After hearing him speak I was anxious to buy his most recent book and was not disappointed. There is a lifetime of wisdom in this book. It's the type of book you can go back to over and over, and glean something completely different each time. I'm planning on buying all of his books!

[Connie Kronlokken]

Robert Thurman makes the case for spiritual evolution here, showing its consequences for one's life and how, because of it, everything matters. I appreciate his ability to describe these concepts, developed over thousands of years of Buddhism in India and Tibet, in precise English. Having heard him speak a couple of times, I hear him very well in his writing!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

better.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Awakens the self to release habitual patterns of selfishness.

[Scott Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

How am I not myself?

[Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book for a discussion series with Shantideva Center.